“The BART Police Department maintains several specialized units to deal with the variety of needs which may arise within the BART system. One of these units is the SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) Team.

The department’s SWAT Team was established to deal with situations within the BART system which require equipment, techniques and training which are beyond the norms for most police officers.

Personnel assigned to the SWAT Team and assigned personnel have other full-time assignments within the department. Personnel are selected from applicants based on a range of criteria including: physical fitness, firearms proficiency, and supervisory recommendations. Members of the team receive specialized training from several sources including local F.B.I. courses and joint training with other local teams. Personnel on BART’s SWAT Team have developed proficiency with a number of specialized weapons and with techniques designed to increase their efficiency and safety in dealing with situations unique to underground transit systems.

Team members train on scenarios which include situations on-board trains within tunnels, on elevated trackways, or in stations. In addition to situations unique to the BART system, the department’s SWAT Team is also utilized to make “high-risk entries” pursuant to warrants obtained by the department. When crimes occur within the BART system which lead to the issuance of arrest or search warrants, an evaluation is done to determine if the service of the warrant will present a risk to officers or the public. In cases where there is a high potential for violence, the SWAT Team is utilized for the initial entry.

The use of the specially trained team members decreases the likelihood for resistance and enhances the safety of police personnel, occupants of the residence and the surrounding community.

The department’s Hostage Negotiation Team works in conjunction with the SWAT team.”

If I ever get busted by the BART police, I hope it’s the SWAT team that does it…

“The shooting of Oscar Grant is a sad and unfortunate reminder that the BART Police needs additional oversight as exists for other law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a young person has been shot and killed by an on-duty officer with BART. There have been other deaths and untold numbers of cases of brutality”, said Ammiano. “The BART Board’s proposed internal subcommittee to review BART police practices, while appreciated, is simply not enough. A young man was killed and the community is justifiably outraged, it’s long overdue for civilian oversight.”

“BART currently lacks adequate public oversight and accountability of its police department,” said Yee. “Complaints and grievances against BART police officers have been investigated and adjudicated internally without any independent review. This is a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house. Our legislation will finally end this untenable situation.”

Several major police departments in the state, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose, have civilian oversight bodies, but BART police do not despite the fact that BART covers four Bay Area counties.

This was the bulk of the crowd, conservatively(!) estimated at 150, per an IndyBay commenter. Throw in lots of media, about 50 Canon “L” (for luxury, about $1000 a clip) camera lenses and a ton of cops and you had lots of activity:

Foster Grant, Obama, and Malcom X:

The lone San Francisco Police Department uniformed officer on site in with the crowd was a Captain, leading from the front:

Two helicopters and the Evening Star rising so it’s time to march on over to Union Square and the Financh.:

The march to Powell Station, with more leadership from the aforementioned Capitan.

Can you see the garbage can? This youth dragged it into the middle of Kearny Street for some reason, inciting a what’s a matter you gesture from a taxi driver. Other youts threw some aluminum chairs for a bit in Union Square:

Next Tuesday, April 22, 60 volunteers from TransFair USA will hand out vouchers for free Fair Trade and organic coffee from Tully’s at six busy BART stations.

So if you’re riding BART from 6:00 to 9:00 AM and you’re at any of the following stations – Montgomery Street, Embarcadero, Powell Street, Civic Center, Oakland City Center/12th Street or Downtown Berkeley – make sure you get your Tully’s swag.